Legalizing Cannabis for Medical Use - Essay Example

Legalizing Cannabis for Medical Use Legalizing Cannabis for Medical Use Introduction Cannabis is a plant that is useful as it is used as a drug, while it provides fiber for other uses the plant has been in use for a long period of time, dating back to thousands of years. The Chinese have been using cannabis as a traditional medical compendium since 2737 B.C. it has also a long history of being used as a medical herb. The roots of cannabis can be traced from ancient china, where it was useful in treating people. The immense use of cannabis in china led to widespread use of the drug in different places of the continent, including India and northern Africa. The history of cannabis in the Europe dates back to A.D. 500. This was after its spread from the other continents, which recorded prevalent usage of the plant. As a fact, cannabis was considered one of the major colonial crops in North America. Apparently, during the colonial times, the plant was basically grown for the provision of fiber (Wills, 2005). After Asian sources of fiber produced from marijuana diminished, the growth of cannabis was enhanced. This was during the Second World War, as the countries involved were in need of fiber for manufacturing purposes. History of Cannabis Since 1850, cannabis was listed by the United States in the pharmacopeia, as it was useful in a number of approaches. First, it was prescribed in various health conditions, as it was helpful in annihilating extreme pain. During this time, patients, especially women in labor were given marijuana, as it lessened the pain. Similarly, it was useful, especially to patients that were feeling nausea. Secondly, marijuana was used as an intoxicant between the 1850’s to early 1930’s. However, the United States initiated a campaign in the early 1930’s, which had a toll on the perception about marijuana. The campaign ostensibly portrayed marijuana as a strong and powerful drug that should only be used for medicinal purposes. Secondly, the campaign sates that marijuana was strongly addictive to the users (Winterborne, 2008). As a result, the users would be dependent on the drug in their daily life. The campaign was particularly initiated to sensitize the population, as narcotic drug users ha subsequently increased in numbers. Apparently, the authority stated the need to reduce consumption of the drug, as it was becoming a menace in the society. Consequentially, in the 1950’s, the generation popularly known as the beat generation sort cannabis as an accessory. Later in the 1960’s, cannabis was popularly used by college students. Most of the “hippies” were engaged in the frequent use of marijuana, as it was the most prevalent activity of the youth. Strangely, the use of marijuana was seen as a way of rebelling against the authority. The authority was categorical about the use of marijuana which raised the anxiety of many people to use the drug. In essence, many college students and rebellious youth thought that use of cannabis was the ultimate rebellion. In 1970, The Controlled Substance Act in the United States noted that cannabis, alongside other drugs like heroin, is a schedule 1 drug. As a result, they are highly abused in the country. Strangely, during this time, the controlled substance act did not consider cannabis as a drug that could be used for medical purposes. In fact, most parts of the United States did not grow the plant, as the authorities were categorical about the menace. Therefore, most of the marijuana used in United States was imported from other countries. The country that enhanced the use of marijuana in the United States was Mexico, as it exported most of the marijuana to the United States. However, the Mexican government promised to halt the exploitation, as it would eradicate marijuana growing in the country. Although the Mexican government eradicated the growth and exportation of marijuana, Colombia became the major exporter of marijuana to the United States. However, the Reagan and Bush government decided to initiate stringent and mandatory sentences in connection to possession of marijuana (Allhoff, Jacquette and Cusick, 2010). Other governments that have been managing the United States have also been involved in the fight against drugs. For example, the war on drugs was enhanced by Richard Nixon, who stated that the worst enemy of the people was drugs. This led to enhanced policies, especially in concern to cannabis. The regulators decided that people should be apprehended when in possession of marijuana. Similarly, having knowledge or consent in concern to possession of marijuana was considered an offence. This has led to an increase in incarceration rate in the United States, as many of the people serving jail terms have connections to use, abuse and trade in marijuana. How the Cannabis affects People Over time, scientists have been engaging in research to demystify the effects of marijuana to an individual. The first threat of using marijuana is that it is an addictive drug. The users find it important to frequently use the drug, as it gives the users pleasure. Just like alcohol, marijuana is addictive, and may lead to drug dependency. Secondly, use of marijuana distorts personal sense of time. A person feels detached from the world, as they literally live in a different world. In some instances, marijuana affects personal hygiene, and leads to neglect. Most people using marijuana fail to take care of their responsibilities, since they are engaged in satisfying their pleasures through use of marijuana. Thirdly, people who are accustomed to using marijuana live in paranoia. This is evidently seen as the users often show fear when interacting with other people. The fear is immense, which may lead to isolation. Lastly, marijuana use may lead to magical random thoughts, which are non-existent. In addition to this, cannabis has long term effects, which includes cancer development, lung and airway infection, defective immune system and respiratory problems. The Advantages of Using it for Medical Purposes Marijuana has been noted as a drug that can be used by patients in medical conditions. To begin with, medical marijuana is used by doctors in treating patients in chemotherapy. It is noted that patients in chemotherapy occasionally experience various conditions from the process. This includes the unending urge to vomit and in extreme situations, the patients vomit uncontrollably. According to recent research in 2010, researchers noted that cannabinoids were considered some of the most effective methods of treating patients induced to vomit after chemotherapy (Allhoff, Jacquette and Cusick, 2010). Therefore, medical marijuana has been a useful tool, especially in eradicating the urge to vomit after chemotherapy sessions. This comes when cancer is increasingly becoming a menace, as it has threatened lives of many people, while many have succumbed to death. Apparently, some people opt out of chemotherapy sessions, since the nausea and vomiting is disturbing. However, with provision of medical marijuana for treating such cases, it has encouraged many to continue with treatment. Many patients in the healthcare sector have been writhing in chronic pain especially when the doctors did not have the perfect pain reliever. However, the implementation of medical marijuana has been a relief in the healthcare sector, as many patients with chronic pain have been relieved through the use of medical marijuana. For example, patients with complications of neuropathy, emanating from rheumatoid arthritis have been relieved, as they can be given medical marijuana to relieve the pain. Similarly, patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, especially in the final stages of the infection have multiple health problems (Iversen, 2008). This could lead to a painful experience, as the immune system of the body has malfunctioned. However, with use of medical marijuana, the patients can be given better treatment as it instills calmness and relief in the patients (Winterborne, 2008). With such directives, many patients with chronic illness and other complications have been treated with minimal pain and suffering. The Legal Aspects of Cannabis Cannabis is an illegal drug in the United States, as well as other countries in the world. However, some countries have notably legalized marijuana. For example, Uruguay has legalized marijuana, use as well as selling the plant. Apparently, some states in the United States have different views in concern to marijuana use (Sircus, 2013). While some states have legalized the use of medical marijuana in healthcare sector, other states are still relenting on the issue. Most of the states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana have conducted successive researches, in ensuring the people that use the medical marijuana are not affected. According to statistics in the United States, almost half of the arrests in the United States are related to knowledge, consent or possession of marijuana. This has led to an increase in the population of people in the jails. This is due to the stringent measures that have been incepted in controlling the use and abuse of marijuana. For example, there is the implementation of the mandatory arrest when an individual has, knowledge or consent of marijuana possession. Similarly, there is the implementation of mandatory sentence, which has netted many of the offenders (Rothschild, 2010). While many have been incarcerated, some offenders only face community service, as they are given an opportunity to rectify their behavior. Disagreement to Legalize Cannabis Legalizing marijuana may have critical effect to the society. This is a drug that affects the daily lives of the users. It is noted that when marijuana was legalized in some states in the United States, many people flocked the retail stores to purchase marijuana. This shows that many people would have the urge to use the drugs, especially when they are legalized. This will have a negative effect to the population, as they will be derailed from their normal life. For example many people will neglect their families, which will lead to irresponsible behavior. Secondly, legalizing marijuana will have an adverse effect to school going children (Jenkins, 2005). For example, in the past, many college students were involved in marijuana smoking, as they were influenced by their peers. Through such influence, they start using marijuana, which leads to immoral behavior in the learning institutions. This will increase moral decadence, as most of the students in the colleges will be using marijuana. This could be spread to other institutions, which includes children in the basic education. This would further deteriorate the moral standards in the United States, as many minors would be influenced into use of marijuana (Jenkins, 2005). Disadvantages of Marijuana Marijuana is a drug that has various disadvantages, which has halted its legalization in many parts of the world. First, it is a psychoactive drug. It leads the users into activities, which may be weird or unacceptable. In many cases, the users feel high, as they engage in unethical activities. This includes exposure tom violent encounters and they risk mental illnesses emanating from cannabis use. This may lead to moral decadence, as some members of the society may adapt such behavior (Royal College of Physicians, 2005). Secondly, marijuana has been termed to burn three times more than normal cigarettes. As such, the inhalation causes the hairs in the lungs and in the respiratory system to burn faster. This could lead to development of cancerous cells. In conclusion, research in the use of medical marijuana is a prudent step in enhancing treatment in health sector. Many people with chronic illnesses and chronic pain have been helped through cannabis medication. However, there is an issue with use of marijuana, especially when it is not for medical purposes. For example, it leads to addiction, moral decadence, violence and irresponsible behavior. Therefore, medical marijuana is useful when used in the appropriate measures for appropriate reasons. References Allhoff, F., Jacquette, D., & Cusick, R. (2010). Cannabis - philosophy for everyone: What were we just talking about? Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Iversen, L. L. (2008). The science of marijuana. New York: Oxford University Press. Jenkins, R. (2005). Cannabis and young people: Reviewing the evidence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Rothschild, A. J. (2010). The evidence-based guide to antipsychotic medications. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub. Royal College of Physicians. (2005). Cannabis and cannabis-based medicines: Potential benefits and risks to health; report of a working party. London: Royal College of Physicians. Sircus D. (August 15, 2013). Pharmaceutical strength marijuana. (video). Retrived from: http://drsircus.com/medicine/pharmaceutical-strength-marijuana Wills, S. (2005). Drugs of abuse. London [u.a.: Pharmaceutical Press. Winterborne, J. (2008). Medical marijuana / cannabis cultivation: Trees of life at the University of London. Pukka Pr. Read More